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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.23.2002COUNCIL WORK SESSION October 23, 2002 1:00 p.m. Council Chambers Members present: Mayor Rooff, Welper, Clark, Hurley, Getty. Members absent: Berry, Greenwood, Jordan. Moved by Clark, seconded by Getty that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Four. Absent: Berry, Greenwood, Jordan. Motion carried. Mayor Rooff stated that the purpose of the meeting is to discuss funding of the National Cattle Congress and Eastside Ministerial Alliance projects for Vision Iowa funding. The City of Cedar Falls has made no commitment to help fund the National Cattle Congress project, but they might if Waterloo. is willing to do something on the west side of the Airport. Mayor Rooff stated that council members all received a letter from Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, concerning the financial plan for the Black Hawk Solid Waste Commission's equity distribution. John Holmes, 425 Kingbard and representing the National Cattle Congress, spoke in favor of the grant from the city to allow the National Cattle Congress to go forward to Vision Iowa. Mr. Holmes stated he is a lifelong resident and has been involved the past 15 years in the capacity of lawyer for the National Cattle Congress. The condition of the buildings is apparent, and we need to do something as a community to bring back the Cattle Congress to its former self. The National Cattle Congress has wonderful buildings, and it is a wonderful venue for all kinds of activities. Mr. Holmes urged the council to go forward with the request submitted by the National Cattle Congress on Monday. Mayor Rooff stated this group has tried to work closely for presentation to the Vision Iowa Board. This plan needs to be rock solid with funding in place. Mayor Rooff stated once we get the numbers down and work together we will see how one plan helps the others. The citizens, starting with the Millennium Plan meetings, said it comes down to the importance of the Cedar River, people want recreation. Mayor Rooff stated that since he has been mayor there has been talk about restoring the National Cattle Congress. Black Hawk County has agreed to support the National Cattle Congress project, and we need to come up with the best possible plan. Mayor Rooff stated that Cedar Rapids wants us to drop out, but we are committed to completion of the project. Mayor Rooff stated it is very important to find funds for the Eastside Ministerial Alliance Community Center and Head Start Program and we need to find way to fund $200,000 to that project. Reverend Ted Keys, President of Eastside Ministerial Alliance, stated he has concerns to educate the children better than they are and deal with health issues. Reverend Keys stated he feels the Eastside is being left out of the project, except for the Eastside Ministerial Alliance project. The Eastside Ministerial Alliance is investing their own money into this program because we need good education, quality housing and good quality of life. Reverend Keys stated the Eastside Ministerial Alliance would appreciate all the help the city can give them. Curly Hultman stated that the headlines in the Courier said that the National Cattle Congress is throwing a monkey wrench into the Vision Iowa project, but they are not throwing a monkey wrench into anything. The makeup of the National Cattle Congress group is a very diversified group, with no monetary interest, except for the good of the community. The National Cattle Congress project contributes to other portions of the plan, and they believe theirs really puts it together. The National Cattle Congress project does not need new property and won't tear down buildings. The National Cattle Congress concept grows from something greatly recognized as a world-wide attraction. A very diversified group who has no monetary investment has come together for this vision. The National Cattle Congress believes they need to be a part of Vision Iowa. Councilperson Hurley asked if the National Cattle Congress made an appointment to meet with the Cedar Falls Council to push their case and will there be any commitment Mr. Holmes responded several people in the committee have talked to the City of Cedar Falls. Several people have suggested they go directly to the Cedar Falls Council to present their plan. Mayor Rooff stated the council today needs to make a commitment to the National Cattle Congress Project. They are asking $4 million from Waterloo, $1.5 million from Cedar Falls and $1.2 from Black Hawk County. Council Work Session October 23, 2002 Page 2 Don Temeyer, City Planner, stated that we hope to have a resolution on Monday night's agenda to allocate funds for Waterloo, the Cedar Valley Soccer Association Center, National Cattle Congress and the Eastside Ministerial Association. If we don't have match money, items will need to be taken out. Once the resolution is done, then we will put together the documentation and application to Vision Iowa. Vision Iowa is meeting November 13, 2002, and we want to get the application to them by November 1, 2002. The Vision Iowa Review Committee will score the application, and then sends a recommendation to the Vision Iowa Committee who will recommend to the Vision Iowa Board to go forward with negotiations. There are other communities petitioning for funds. Mr. Temeyer stated that there is no termination date for Vision Iowa funds, but it is up to the Legislation if the state will keep the funds. Councilperson Getty stated that Waterloo and Cedar Falls are each being asked to contribute $300,000 and Black Hawk County $100,000 for the Cedar Valley Youth Soccer Association Center. Councilperson Getty stated there is $500,000 allocated for the Gateway, and he suggested that $200,000 be taken from the Gateway to give to the Eastside Ministerial Alliance Reverend Mary Robinson stated that the Eastside Ministerial Alliance really needs $400,000, and that a lot of their dollars are being used for the city's match. Councilperson Hurley stated he supports Councilperson Getty's suggestion 100 percent. Another alternative would be to use some of the Solid Waste money as the city needs to support $200,000 for the Eastside Ministerial Alliance project. Councilpersons Welper and Clark agreed with funding $200,000 to the Eastside Ministerial Alliance project using money from the Gateway. Mr. Temeyer stated that the Gateway funds were to be used to purchase vacant property downtown for development in the downtown area, and it won't affect the city's match money. Mr. Temeyer stated that Ms. Weidner has created a pay as you go option or the city could issue more bonds. Councilperson Clark stated that we are trying to sell the idea to develop the National Cattle Congress, and we don't need to sell that as it is sorely needed and he supports it 100 percent. Councilperson Clark asked if the city has to issue more bonds to be paid by the taxpayers will Mr. Bartels committee approve that, and Bill Bartels responded yes. Councilperson Clark stated he has no problem using Solid Waste money entirely for Vision Iowa, but there are other things we need to use those funds for. Councilperson Hurley stated he would like to have some of the Solid Waste money for an insurance reserve. The council is faced with an increase in sewer and garbage rates, and the citizens could be concerned if the city receives $15 million and then we raise rates. Councilperson Hurley stated there are other things to worry about than Vision Iowa. Councilperson Hurley stated he would like to start with $2 million commitment to the National Cattle Congress, and that $4 million endangers items in the city's plan. Councilperson Welper stated that the citizens back rehabilitation of the National Cattle Congress because it was said that no taxpayers dollars would be used, and now we are talking about funding them for $4 million. Curley Hultman stated that was a miscommunication on the part of one of the members of the National Cattle Congress Committee. When the committee heard this, they did everything they could and met immediately the next day. The National Cattle Congress believed from the beginning as part of Vision Iowa that this is what they would be asking, and then they would not come back to the governments to ask for funds to continue the program. Mr. Hultman continued to explain the miscommunication. That has not been their position at any time. The committee was doing what they felt was the right thing from the beginning, and they will not ask governments for any contingency funds, but they said they would need funding to make the plan work. The National Cattle Congress has set the minimum needed for Phase 1, II and III. The National Cattle Congress contribution is significant for the total package plan. Black Hawk County has contributed to the National Cattle Congress plan, and the National Cattle Congress is • • Council Work Session October 23, 2002 Page 3 • • not looking for any funding beyond the seed money. The committee feels the National Cattle Congress plan will bring money into the Cedar Valley, Black Hawk County, the entire State of Iowa and other parts of the world. Councilperson Getty stated that the council and members of the National Cattle Congress committee have a big decision and this is a lot of money. The National Cattle Congress committee needs to talk to the Cedar Falls Council as they need to be involved, not just Waterloo. Councilperson Getty stated that in fairness he cannot commit $4 million to the National Cattle Congress plans, but he feels we could commit $2 million. Councilperson Welper stated the city is having trouble coming up with $7 million and will probably have to dip into the Solid Waste Commission funds. Mayor Rooff stated that it is the mayor and council's responsibility to provide a way to invest in our community and raise our tax base. We need to give our people something to be proud of. We have an opportunity to create a vision for our community to create a tax base for our future. Councilperson Welper asked what could the National Cattle Congress cut from their plan. Wally Sullentic responded they will have to go back to their committee as this will create a problem for them, and he is not sure what they will do. Councilperson Clark echoed Councilperson Welpers remarks that he does not want to scale down the city's project. Councilperson Clark stated he is in favor of committing $4 million to the National Cattle Congress plan with the understanding they would be GO Bonds. We could pledge $2 million now and $2 million in GO Bonds. Mayor Rooff stated Cedar Falls needs to participate, and if Waterloo contributes $2 million, the National Cattle Congress needs to see if Cedar Falls will contribute $2 million. Councilperson Hurley stated he reviewed Ms. Weidner's financial plan, and we will need to use part of "other uses". Councilperson Getty stated if the council decides to give the National Cattle Congress $2 million today, we need to have the Finance people tell the council where it will come from. Mayor Rooff stated the city has bonding capacity, and we need to continue working on this. Councilpersons Clark, Welper and Hurley agreed to funding the National Cattle Congress plan with $2 million. Councilperson Hurley stated he would support renovating/enriching the Logan Avenue retail center. Mayor Rooff stated that the plan is we will leave no one behind. Mr. Temeyer stated there is currently a U.S. Corridor Study on Highway 63 to Logan Avenue, and we hope to develop an economic plan for that corridor, including Logan Plaza. Mayor Rooff stated that the city will soon have to commit to helping retail on the east side of the city. Mayor Rooff stated that it is the consensus of the council to fund the National Cattle Congress plan with $2 million with an open to look at bonding, and the National Cattle Congress committee needs to go to Cedar Falls requesting funds, and the council is committing $200,000 to the Eastside Ministerial Alliance Center. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Hurley, seconded by Clark that the meeting be adjourned at 2:15 p.m. Ayes: Four. Absent: Berry, Welper, Greenwood. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk